CDC will reduce director Robert Redfield’s $375,000 salary

The Centers for Disease Control in addition to also Prevention will cut its director’s $375,000 salary, after a raft of complaints in addition to also media reports which he was being paid much more than his predecessors.

The director, Dr. Robert Redfield, enjoyed a significantly higher salary than his predecessor, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, whose was paid $197,300 a year, The completely new York Times reported Monday.

Redfield was able to secure the higher pay through a provision allowing more lucrative salary packages to lure scientists with specialized skill sets, the Times reported.

The HIV/AIDS researcher was reportedly paid more than his boss, Health in addition to also Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who earns less than $0,000 a year.

Redfield told Secretary Azar which he didn’t want his compensation to become a distraction, a spokeswoman for Health in addition to also Human Services told CNBC. “Therefore, consistent with Dr. Redfield’s request, his compensation will be adjusted accordingly,” the spokeswoman said.

Fitzgerald, who was an OB-GYN before accepting the role of CDC director, apparently did not make use of the special salary dispensation.

Numerous Democratic lawmakers in addition to also watchdog groups had filed complaints in addition to also inquiries about Redfield’s salary, news outlets have reported.

Caitlin Oakley, a spokeswoman for HHS, told CNBC in a statement which Redfield’s appointment was “a rare opportunity to hire one of the planet’s leading virologists.”

“The selection of Dr. Redfield was the right choice at the right time for the right purpose. Dr. Redfield will be someone who understands This kind of work by all of these perspectives in addition to also has firsthand knowledge of what researchers in addition to also practitioners need to keep the American people safe at home in addition to also abroad,” Oakley said.